Cardiac disease-induced trauma and stress-related disorders

• Published in: Herz 2024-08, Vol.49 (4), p.254-260
• Main Authors: Princip, Mary, Ledermann, Katharina, Altwegg, Rahel, von Känel, Roland
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adjustment Disorders - diagnosis; Adjustment Disorders - etiology; Adjustment Disorders - psychology; Adjustment Disorders - therapy; Cardiology; Cardiovascular diseases; Comorbidity; Coronary artery disease; Disease; Health services; Heart diseases; Heart Diseases - etiology; Heart Diseases - therapy; Humans; Internal Medicine; Long-term effects; Main Topic; Medical treatment; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mental disorders; Post traumatic stress disorder; Prevalence; Psychological stress; Risk Factors; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - diagnosis; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - etiology; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - therapy; Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute - diagnosis; Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute - etiology; Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute - psychology; Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute - therapy; Therapeutic applications; Trauma
• ISSN: 0340-9937; 1615-6692; 1615-6692
• DOI: 10.1007/s00059-024-05255-0

Objective This review aims to present an updated overview of cardiac disease-induced trauma and stress-related disorders such as acute stress disorder (ASD), adjustment disorder (AjD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). First, the prevalence of these disorders, their diagnostic criteria, and their differences from other trauma-related disorders are described. Special challenges in diagnosis and treatment are identified, with various screening tools being evaluated for symptom assessment. Additionally, the risk factors studied so far for the development of symptoms of cardiac-induced posttraumatic stress disorder and the bidirectional relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder and cardiovascular diseases are summarized. Various therapeutic interventions, including pharmacological approaches, are also discussed. Finally, various areas for future research are outlined. Background Experiencing a cardiovascular disease, particularly a life-threatening cardiac event, can potentially lead to stress-related disorders such as ASD, AjD, and cardiac disease-induced PTSD (CDI-PTSD). If left untreated, these disorders are associated with a worsening cardiac prognosis and higher mortality rates. Approaching treatment through a trauma-focused lens may be beneficial for managing CDI-PTSD and stress-related disorders. Conclusion Future research should explore treatment options for both the patients and the caregivers as well as investigate the long-term effects of trauma-focused interventions on physical and mental health outcomes.